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The Prime Minister: Poland and its communist past Prime Minister (Ekipa, 2007) Politics are a dirty game no matter where you are. The hit Polish series, Prime Minister, takes viewers into the seedy underbelly of Poland's political reality. This gritty show shines a light on the secrets of European politics, and the personalities of the politicians who stand at the head of modern democracy. Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland uses her experience from shows such as The Wire and Cold Case to bring her audience into a fictional world that one might mistake for their own reality. The gritty realism experienced in each episode is reminiscent of The West Wing and The Wire. A scandal kicks off this thrilling drama, as it is revealed that Prime Minister Henryk Nowasz (Janusz Gajos), before his tenure in office, served in the Secret Service of the Polish Republic. The rules of government demand that he step down, but he is determined to do so on his terms. Naming professor of economics and political sciences Konstanty Turski (Marcin Perchuc) as his temporary successor, he sets out to prove his innocence. Turski agrees, but only reluctantly, and before he can even settle into his new office his choice sets off a powder-keg of arguments, backbiting and political maneuvering from the deputy and president of the coalition party. Turski must contend with these formidable enemies; even though they are his greatest opposition, he still relies on them in the day-to-day duties of his new office. Prime Minister explores the dramatic dimension of politics—its human complexity, and the glories and horrors of its daily struggles and choices. Episode 1: Opposition party leaders make a shocking discovery: Prime Minister Henryk Nowasz (Janusz Gajos) once served in the Polish Secret Service during the age of Communist rule. Rather than tell their leader, they allow this information to leak to the public, causing a flurry of political drama. Nowasz, learning of this treachery, must meet with his party. At the meeting he realizes that he has no choice but to step down, and so he does, naming Konstanty Turski (Marcin Perchuc), professor of economics and political sciences, as his successor. This does not sit well with the newly appointed party leader Sochaczewski (Boguslawa Schubert), and the ensuing political fallout could threaten to plunge the country into a time of darkness. Episode 2: In the wake of a scandal, Prime Minister Nowasz (Janusz Gajos) must step down. The rumors that he served in the Secret Service during Poland’s communist occupation cycle through the media, forcing him out of office. To replace him, the Polish Center Bloc hands the position to a reluctant professor of political science, Konstanty Turski (Marcin Perchuc). This goes against the will of the opposition party, who seek to appoint Sochaczewski (Boguslawa Schubert) for the position, filling the Prime Minister’s chair with one of their own. Their plans are thwarted in a dramatic vote, and Turski is placed in a position his country needs, but that he never wanted. Meanwhile, a hunger strike at a clothing factory sets off a chain of dire events, and Turski is forced to choose between his adviser’s wishes, and his own solution to the problem. Episode 3: As the new Prime Minister, Professor Turski (Marcin Perchuc) begins his career by reinstating his predecessor Nowasz’s (Janusz Gajos) advisors. This team is comprised of a Bank’s ex-president, Julia Rychter (Katarzyna Gniewkoska), the eccentric economist Dr. Guss (Marek Kalita), and the trio Adam Niemiec (Krzysztof Stroinski), Aleksandra Pyszny (Katarzyna Herman) and Hubert Kuwerski (Rafal Mackowiak). For a time, this dream-team seems to put things on the proper path, with Turski earning recognition as an outstanding professional and cunning, determined leader. This is not to last, however, and the peace is shattered when a group of armed neo-fascists launch a terrorist attack. These brutal men invade a castle during an art festival being held in the ancient, crumbling walls, and take the guests hostage. Now it’s up to Turski’s cabinet to save them, with the aid of the police and the anti-terrorist specialist Joanna Sarnowska (Magdalena Poplawski). The clock is ticking, not just for the hostages, but also for Turski’s fledgling administration. Episode 4: Turski (Marcin Perchuc), the new prime minister, has his hands full: A group of terrorists have invaded a castle, taken hostages, and demanded millions of dollars in exchange for the prisoner’s lives. Turski and his new team of advisors must work fast to save both the hostages, and the administration’s reputation. Together with the police, they capture the terrorist leader, and team-members Hubert (Rafal Mackowiak) and Joanna (Magdalena Poplawski) must manage the media frenzy that follows. Hubert’s ex-wife, Marta Kolodziejczyk (Ewa Kutynia), in order to interview the terrorists, asks that a listening device be placed within the castle. Soon, the hostages are rescued and the terrorists brought into custody. Despite Turski’s decisive action being the cause of this victory, the embattled prime minister must now contend with coalition leader Jan Matajewicz (Marek Frackowiak) who tries to take the credit. Episode 5: In the cut-throat world of politics, sometimes a terrorist attack is only the beginning. The governing team is thrown further into chaos when, following the incident in the castle, Aleksandra (Katarzyna Herman) is forced to take charge of a new, equally important challenge. Oil has been discovered in the Baltic Sea, and the administration must handle the dissemination of the new story. Meanwhile Julia (Katarzyna Gniewkowska) must handle the new cultivation laws forced into law by the coalition . New challenges arise, however, when Radek, Aleksandra’s assistant, grows incensed by the abuse of nature, and forges government documents to help his own cause. Prime Minister Turski (Marcin Perchuc) isn’t off the hook either. He must, at his wife’s behest, help a Polish woman whose husband has disappeared in Syria. To further complicate matters, Turski receives a surprising visit from the Danish Ambassador who wants to annex Poland. Episode 6: Former Prime Minister Nowasz (Janusz Gajos) is, even now, still contending with the accusations of compliance with the Communist Secret Service. In an attempt to clear his name, he is forced to initiate a private investigation. His acting successor, former professor turned Prime Minister Turski, has his own challenges, which may force him to choose between being a father, a husband, or the Prime Minister. A crisis emerges within the stock market, which is only caught by the brilliant but eccentric Dr. Guss and Julia, who still must figure out how to improve the situation and save the country’s media from being monopolized by enterprising opportunists. Episode 7: Polish Prime Minister Turski (Marcin Perchuc) battles the epidemic of unemployment in his country. Unfortunately, the nation’s budgetary woes are compounded when Matajewicz (Marek Frackowiak), the leader of the right-wing party, suggests that an F-16 fighter jet would be a better investment for the previous year’s reserve funds. Meanwhile, Aleksandra (Katarzyna Herman) is blackmailed by the leader of the opposition feminist’s movement to reveal her controversial opinion in public. Hours later, once Turski decides to negotiate a contract to buy the jet, Matajewicz gives the green light to attack the government. Episode 8: Prime Minister Turski is busy implementing a new development plan in Poland. Behind the political tensions, personal dramas simmer as the Prime Minister’s assistants Mateusz (Marcin Bosak) and Aleksandra (Katarzyna Herman) contemplate a relationship with one another. Meanwhile, a corruption scandal escalates, as accusations are thrown at almost every high ranking police officer on the force. The tensions are running so high that after visiting Turski, the vice-minister of police suffers a heart attack. That same day, the chief of the neo-fascists is tortured, and the blame lies on Joanna Sarnowska (Magdalena Poplawski). Episode 9: In the middle of the night, the Secret Service evacuates the Turski family to a bunker. Underground, the PM learns of an underground atomic test in Belarus that could endanger his entire administration. Turski refuses to hide the truth about the threat, but the President would rather wait for the American Government to solve the crisis. At dawn, Turski returns to his office, only to find that, on top of everything else, he must contend with a strike from the Civil Service organization. While struggling to contend with the strike, and uncover the truth behind the nuclear threat, Turski discovers that Russians are behind the nuclear tests. In a decisive move, Turski conceals this discovery from the President, and gives the Belarus ambassador a deadly ultimatum. Turski then boldly publicly criticizes the explosion and news stations air his press conference. Episode 10: Joanna Sarnowska spends the night with Hubert Kuwerski (Rafal Mackowiak), but their evening is clouded by fear and despair. Her career has been decimated by the accusations leveled on her that she beat a neo-fascist leader to death. Worse, she is soon arrested and the news of her alleged crimes spreads like wildfire across the international media. The backlash is fierce and immediate, as Kuwerski is suspended until the case can be resolved. Now he must risk his own career to prove her innocence, not knowing if she truly is guilty or not. Meanwhile, scandal creeps even into Turski’s home life, as his son Antoni is caught on film dancing at a night club with the former Prime Minister’s daughter Magdalena Nowasz. Episode 11: Alexandra (Katarzyna Herman) is informed that the case against the criminals will not proceed. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Turski (Marcin Perchuc) and his assistant Mateusz (Marcin Bosak) search for support among the opposition party, a move that causes a rift to form among the Minister’s own staff. As the drama unfolds, President Nowasz (Janusz Gajos) visits the sanitarium, looking for a recruit for the United Nations. Episode 12: Turski (Marcin Perchuc), the Prime Minister is attacked by a man with a knife. He is saved, but the secret service agent Arthur is seriously hurt in the scuffle. As the agent convalesces at the hospital, he declares his love for Weronika (Agnieszka Podsiadlik), Julia’s assistant (Katarzyna Gniewkowska). Episode 13: Tragedy strikes, claiming the life of a seven year old boy as Julia (Katarzyna Gniewkowska) watches. Traumatized by the child’s shocking death, she isolates herself at a secret address. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s office is besieged by activists armed with a 100,000 signature petition, calling for the withdrawal of Polish troops from Iraq. Turski (Marcin Perchuc) gives in, promising a debate on the issue. Episode 14: As the President dies, circumstances force Turski (Marcin Perchuc) to become the nation’s leader. First, however, he must face Matajewicz (Marek Frackowiak), who has conspired with the late president and the oil companies to murder a crucial military intelligence officer. |
